On Sunday 18th July communities across the UK will be celebrating neighbourliness by eating lunch together, in the middle of their streets, around tower blocks and on patches of common ground.

Last year, up to a million people, in every kind of community all across the UK, took part in over 8,000 lunches. It was the biggest set of street parties since the Golden Jubilee and 80% said they felt closer to their neighbours as a result.

The Big Lunch aims to help strengthen neighbourhoods and promote social cohesion.  It began life as a wild seed at The Eden Project.  We believe that the world can get better and become safer through communities working together, with nature, optimism and common sense, to tackle local issues.  So, we’re very happy to be working with Citizens UK – the national home of community organising.

We’re calling upon all community leaders to get involved and plan a Big Lunch in your area.  The Big Lunch is a chance for different generations and backgrounds to listen to each other and share stories, skills and interests. It can be the start of a journey into rebuilding our communities, or a celebration of what has been achieved already.  Tie it in with existing projects and campaigns, or use food as the excuse to bring people together and show them how they can get more involved in their community.

Plan your Big Lunch

The Big Lunch website is packed full of information to help you to plan your Big Lunch step by step.  It’s got the inspiration and resources to make it as simple and fun as possible.  Pop in your postcode to add your Big Lunch to our special map and join thousands of people across the UK, all celebrating their community on the same day.

Spread the word

Tell your friends, family and colleagues about The Big Lunch and encourage them to get involved.  We have leaflets and posters to download from our website to help and you can join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and be inspired by Big Lunch stories on our blog.

For more information call 0845 850 8181, email info@thebiglunch.com or visit www.thebiglunch.com